CHICAGO — A joint venture between The Prime Group Inc. and CRG, the development and investment management arm of Clayco, has acquired the 40-story historic Jewelers Building in Chicago. Located at 35 E. Wacker Drive, the Jewelers Building comprises 556,200 square feet of rentable office space. The building is currently 70 percent occupied. Designed by Giaver & Dinkelber, the Jewelers Building was originally built in 1926. At the time of its completion, it was the tallest building west of New York City. The building is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Chicago-based architecture firm Goettsch Partners recently renovated the lobby, main entry and storefronts at the property. The price was not disclosed. According to CoStar, the price was expected to be more than $70 per square foot, which would equate to approximately $39 million. However, those numbers were based on Prime’s original offer in November before CRG was brought in as a partner. The previous owner had defaulted on over $50 million in debt on the building, according to multiple sources, leading to the sale. Although Prime Group’s initial plans for the property in November called for a potential hotel conversion, that concept has apparently been sidelined. As an existing tenant …
